The SAD Truth about the Winter Blues

Have you ever heard of the winter blues? Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD) is a form of depression that annually affects many individuals. Typically, symptoms start during the fall and continue into the winter, although some individuals experience symptoms as early as the spring and summer seasons. Although not everyone agrees on the cause of SAD, many experts believe it is influenced by a lack of sunlight disrupting the sleep-wake cycle, circadian rhythms, and the brain’s serotonin output.

Who Is Affected

Anyone can experience SAD, including children. However, some individuals are more likely to develop SAD than others, including those with one or more of the following traits:

• Female • Age 15-55 • Live in a region where winter days are short • Live in a region where changing seasons cause significant changes in the amount of daylight experienced • Have a direct relative with SAD

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Differentiating between SAD and nonseasonal depression can be difficult since both have similar symptoms. Typical fall and winter onset symptoms may include:

To properly diagnose SAD, a doctor will need to know whether the patient experiences symptoms specific to the disorder or experiences depression during the same seasons for multiple years which then improves after the seasons change.

Treatment & Prevention

The treatment for SAD commonly includes phototherapy (a bright-light treatment or dawn simulation) for 30 to 90 minutes a day, sometimes combined with anti-depressant medication or psychotherapy. Spending at least an hour outside daily during fall and winter months can also help individuals with more mild symptoms gain the proper amount of light exposure. Taking Vitamin D supplements and probiotics to reduce stress is another tactic that can prove beneficial.